Noise Pollution

Not exactly near my house but may be a km as the crow flies there are some temples. Every day at 4:00 a.m in the morning , the people there start playing devotional songs at a loud volume , trying to wake up all the residents in the area and most surprising part is they switch it off at 7:00 a.m in the morning.

I shudder at the thought what those people might be experiencing who stay close to those temples.

This is a common thing in most part of our country and inspite of Supreme Court banning use of loud speakers at night, no one cares, specially the police and administration whose duty is stop such nuisance.

Neighbours

Recently Manish Chauhan made a post on his blog regarding neighbours “The So called Society “

. Here are some of my thoughts on the same based on my experiences
In last 7 years I have changed my residence thrice and each time I got different types of neighbours. First time, they were too poky to the extent that why I have not gone to office today or why I have come early from office or where I am going out for dinner. I always failed to understand what thrill they get by asking such questions
Second time , I had a doctor as a neighbour who always insisted that we keep his key at our home so that his kids could pick it up without even considering that we also need to out sometime and on top of that he used to charge an exorbitant amount incase we consulted him in case of emergency claiming it to be a home visit
To say that my recent neighbours are too aloof would be an understatement, some times they will talk too nicely but at other times their behavior puzzles us like incase if their door is open and if we open our door they will close their door with a big bang or incase they are going out of town they don’t even inform. We realize they have left when we see a lock on their door for days.

Only time will tell how more different types of neighbours I will get

Sensationalism by Media

Now a day there seems to be a tendency by media to sensationalize even trivial issues whether it is kissing in public by two bollywood actors or a TV actress asking for a Chief Ministers resignation.

In all of these instances media tries to overplay the situation, claiming them as exclusive stories whereas in fact on all the channels/newspapers you can find the same stuff. The news reports are hyped for couple of days and then a new story is picked up

One thing being clear that media can never attempt to do this unless they are tacitly being supported by the concerned people. I feel in order to achieve publicity most of these people plant stories with the help of their friends ,media obliges them as they need some or other fodder to keep viewers glued , and then these same people deny/retract the story or send a defamation notice.

Last Working Day

Friday was my last working day in the organisation where I worked for last six years.
During the day, my team gave me send off lunch with a nice card. I was really touched by the messages they wrote in the card.
While going back home I really felt very sad.

Wanted to make this post on Friday but my PC conked off , had to get OS resinstalled and finally I am back online today

Ctrl -D

I have been thinking of doing this for last couple of months, but finally this month I have done Ctrl -D(This term has been used colloquially for putting in ones papers in the place where I work)
Though I did this couple of days back , but informed my team today. Still a fortnight before I take up new assignment.

Some people have asked me why I am putting in my papers after 6 years , but as much water has flowed down the Mula river , I would prefer keeping the reasons to me rather than disclosing and spoiling the relations at the last moment(though some people are aware of the same as they also have experienced some of the issues).

In the last couple of months , I attended a number of interviews and each was an experience in itself. Forlast 4 years I have been taking interviews , but sitting on other side is different feeling. One can easily understand what point interviewer is looking for or what he is going to ask next. At some places things didnt work out due to difference in domain knowledge or due to financial reasons.

I was surprised by "Sadashiv pethi" atttitude of some . These people directly asked me whether you are ready to work for less and these were not small organisations but medium to large ones

Old Song

Since last couple of months my feelings can be summed up in this memorable song from the film Funtoosh , lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri , Music by S D Burman, and sung by Kishore


Dukhi Man Mere Sun Mera Kehna
Jahan Nahin Chaina Wahan Nahin Rehna

Dard Hamaara Koi Na Jaane
Apni Garaj Ke Sab Hain Deewane
Kiske Aage Rona Royen
Des Paraaya Log Begaane
Dukhi Man Mere...

Laakh Yahan Jholi Phailale
Kuchh Nahin Denge Is Jag Wale
Pathhar Ke Dil Mom Na Honge
Chahe Jitna Neer Bahaale
Dukhi Man Mere...

Apne Liye Kab Hain Yeh Mele
Hum Hain Har Ek Mele Mein Akele
Kya Paaega Is Mein Rehkar
Jo Duniya Jeevan Se Khele

Working in Teams

While working in Teams what is one expected to do when one is made to feel that one is not required in the team inspite of putting in number of years building the team

Menace of cars ferrying BPO employees

This is my observation in Pune , I dont know how it is in other cities which have more BPO firms. As is the case , most of the BPO firm employees are ferried from their homes to offices in cars typically hired from some service operator. I have no grouse against this practicse.
My crib is against the car drivers. These guys drive the cars as if they are lord of the roads without paying any head to anyone.One should specially see the way they park their cars outside the offices and dont even let others drive on the road.Have even read in newspapers that these vehicles are becoming a nuisance in one of townships in Pune which has number of BPO firms

This weekend I saw number of instances of these guys breaking signals with impunity. I understand that most of these cars have a wireless system plus the drivers are provided with cell phones by the service operators.
Probably the attitude of the people these guys ferry rubs on them and they think no one can question them. I am really surprised how none of the companies which employ these cars say anything whereas these firms are at forefront of proclaiming CSR(Corporate Social Responsibilty)

Shwaas - a breath of fresh air

Saw the film "Shwaas" over weekend. Really a touching story specially the way it portrays the relationship between a grandfather and grandson, patient and doctor and what life is really about.

I would recommend a must watch for anyone even if they dont understand marathi

My best wishes to the makers of the movie as this movie has been nominated as Indian entry for Oscars.

Where is the life we have lost in living?

I got this as a forwarded e-mail. Thought of putting it here

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into
the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.


Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask, "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short
The music won't last.

Ever told your child
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not seen his sorrow
Ever lost touch,
Let the good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say hi.
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.


When you run so fast to get somewhere,
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.
Hear the music.
Before the song is over.

A Cruel Waste of Forests - A tribute to Pune Times

Kunal S a fellow blogger from Pune along with Salil has started a new blog meant to lampoon Pune Times and its trashy content. http://punetimepass.blogspot.com

I will say , a good initiative on their part. This reminds me a couple of months ago some students came to my place , saying they were doing survey on behalf of the trash Pune Times. As soon as I started telling them about what a trash PT is , they wished me a good bye

Decesion making and Human mind

Sometimes we have to take some decesion and our mind dilly dallies. Many times in such a situation we take decesion and then try to convince ourselves how our decesion is correct.We think of all possible reasons justifying our decesion , but we dont realise that only time will tell whether our decesion was right or wrong and that time it would not be worth remuniating on the same

Work Culture in an Organization

Recently I read about a person returning to an organization inspite of having more lucrative offers because he missed the work culture. This brings forth a thought whether people work for money or they like to work where they cherish a nice friendly atomsphere.
I have changed jobs twice , first time it was for couple of reasons - money being one of them, peer pressure being another and some more. Second time was due to organization closing down , so it is difficult for me to comment

Though there have been theories that people dont leave organizations , they leave managers. I feel this is quite true because finally it is the manager only who can develop and nurture a culture in his group

Rural Malls


Yesterday night on CNBC I saw a story that ITC has opened a rural mall near Bhopal by the name Sagar Choupal.This is an extension of their e-chaupal initiative.
The concept goes something like this .Farmers will come to ITC godowns to sell their produce and with cash in hand would visit the mall nearby. The mall stores things of daily needs from Soaps/Oil/Grocery/Clothes etc and appeared like a mall in any major city.
From the sound bites of the village folks it appeared that they favored the place as things were available cheaper over there.
ITC probably seems to derivie this concept from the traditional haat system, but whether this will succeed only time will tell. Also needs to be seen what impact it may have on rural economy
Some links related to the same

http://in.rediff.com/money/2004/mar/06itc.htm
http://www.blonnet.com/2004/03/03/stories/2004030301360200.htm

Double Speak

I am really surprised how people can do a double speak within minutes and that too in front of the same person.
Today I came across a situation where a person, said something in a meeting where number of senior people were around and immediately after that with juniors around he said the contrary.
As I was present in both the meetings , the concerned person didnt have the gumption to think that he is contradicting himself

Blogging after a loooong time

The New Pepsi ad

I think the new Pepsi ad "Pyasa aya " featuring SRK is one of the stupidest ads made in the pepsi series.Some of the points which strike when one sees it
1) A Soldier's family serving him a Pepsi can as soon as he comes ( In reality, how many soldiers families might be storing Pepsi cans at home)
2) A Soldier on the battle field throws a Pepsi can thinking its a hand grenade
3) Another one(SRK) runs to catch the Can instead of fighting the enemy

The Ad really pokes fun at our soldiers and am surprised how come no one has raised a bogey for banning it